24,000 tainted eggs may be on market: gov't

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Two farms that were fined for producing eggs that contain antibiotic residue might have already put more than 24,000 eggs on the market since this February, the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ, 動植物防疫檢疫局) announced yesterday.

According to local reports, Wei Liang Ranch (偉良牧場) and Chun Tsung Ranch (俊宗牧場) are egg suppliers for the military and for a convenience store chain.

The BAPHIQ and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formed an inspection team to conduct safety exams on eggs, and both Wei Liang Ranch and Chun Tsung Ranch were fined NT$30,000 and NT$60,000 respectively for failing the inspections.

However, local media reported that officials did not publish the inspection results, and Wei Liang Ranch could have already put those eggs with antibiotic residue on the market.

According to local reports, Wei Liang Ranch uses prescription medication recommended by veterinarians on their chickens, and it is possible that the scheduled withdrawal period was not long enough, resulting in residue in the eggs.

Chang Su-san (張淑賢), the director-general of the BAPHIQ, said that Chun Tsung Ranch was fined NT$60,000 for violating the Act Governing Food Sanitation.

"The bureau conducted a second inspection on the ranch's products and they all passed on March 14," said Chang. "Meanwhile, the bureau also guided the ranch through how to properly follow the regulations when carrying out a withdrawal period."

According to Chang, the inspection results were not published because the administrative process was too time consuming.

According to 7-Eleven, Wei Liang Ranch is only one of the egg suppliers that the store uses, and the store has insisted on purchasing eggs from CAS-approved ranches.

Doctor Disapproved of Officials Hiding Information

Yen Tsung-hai (顏宗海), a toxicologist at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in New Taipei City's (新北市) Linkou District, said that officials should publish information that concerns the public's health.

According to Yen, eggs are common ingredients that are used often in many cuisines, so officials should apply high standards when inspecting such food. When officials discover issues during food inspections, Yen said, they should let the public know as soon as possible.